Council and Committee Meetings

Council meetings, including Committee of the Whole, are held twice monthly on Mondays, except when Monday is a holiday. There will only be one monthly meeting in July, August and December.

Council meetings will commence at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Administration Building, 2297 Highway 12, Brechin.

As set out in the Municipal Act, closed meetings of Council may be held to discuss confidential matters without the public or media present. Subject matters eligible for closed session include the following:

• Education or training for members of Council;
• Security of the property of the municipality;
• Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal employees;
• A proposed or pending land sale by the municipality;
• Labour relations or employee negotiations;
• Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality;
• Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;
• A matter in respect of which a council, board, committee or other body may hold a closed meeting under another Act;
• A matter which relates to a request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

A public meeting may be held under the Planning Act to discuss planning applications, with notice required by the Planning Act.

These meetings may be scheduled to start at times other than the date and time set out for regular Council meetings.

Occasionally, a Special Meeting of Council may be called to deal with item(s) where the circumstances will not permit the matter to be transacted at a regularly scheduled meeting.

The Mayor, or by a petition of the majority of Members of Council, may call a meeting at the time and place as determined by the Clerk.

A minimum of 24 hours' notice to Members of Council is required prior to the holding of a Special Council Meeting, except in the event of an emergency.

During a Council meeting, the public has several opportunities available to speak to members of Council:

• Deputations 
• Open Forum

Prior registration is required for both deputations and open forum. Learn more on our Communicating with Council page. 

Council Highlights provide an overview of important decisions or agenda items from Council meetings.

View Past Council Highlights 

A Council Information Package is circulated weekly on Fridays, except when there are no items.

This package will include copies of communications from the public, organizations, committees, or municipal staff.

Members of the public can watch upcoming or past meetings of Council by visiting the Township of Ramara YouTube channel or by visiting the Ramara CivicWeb Portal.

When visiting the Ramara CivicWeb Portal, residents can view the agenda and watch meeting at the same time. Review the instructions below on how to access both the agenda and livestream video.

Subscribe now to the Township's YouTube channel.

All public meetings of Ramara Township Council may be streamed live on the Township of Ramara YouTube Channel. While meetings are open to the public, Council recognizes that not everyone can attend in person.

Livestreaming gives all community members the opportunity to watch and listen to meetings, either in real time or at their convenience, giving greater access to Council decision making and debate.

By attending a public meeting of the Council attendees are consenting to their image, voice, and comments being recorded. The Chair and/or the Chief Administrative Officer have the discretion and authority at any time to direct the termination or interruption of livestreaming. Such direction will only be given in exceptional circumstances where deemed relevant. Circumstances may include instances where the content of debate is considered misleading, defamatory or potentially inappropriate to be published.

While Council will make every effort to ensure that livestreaming is available, it takes no responsibility for, and cannot be held liable for technical issues beyond its control. Technical issues may include, but are not limited to, the availability of the internet connection, device failure or malfunction, unavailability of social media platforms, or power outages.